P.Saravanan v. The State Of Tamilnadu

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 04.04.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE VIVEK KUMAR SINGH W.P.(MD)No.9352 of 2025 and W.M.P.(MD)No.6984 & 6985 of 2025 P.Saravanan ... Petitioner -vs1. The State of Tamilnadu, Represented by the Secretary to Government, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Fort St. George, Chennai.

2. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Nungambakkam, Chennai.

3. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Tenkasi District.

4. The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Kasi Viswanatha Swamy Thirukovil, Tenkasi District.

... Respondents PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records pertaining to the impugned order in GO(U).No. 102 dated 26.02.2025 passed by the 1st 1/6

respondent and quash the same as illegal and consequently consider the petitioner's application for the appointment of Non-Hereditary Trustees for Arulmigu Kasi Viswanatha Swamy Thirukovil.

For Petitioner : Ms.K.Srinidhi Priya For Respondents : Mr.K.S.Selvaganesan Additional Government Pleader

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed challenging the Government Order in GO(U).No. 102, dated 26.02.2025 passed by the 1st respondent with a consequential direction to consider the petitioner's application for appointment of Non-Hereditary Trustees for Arulmigu Kasi Viswanatha Swamy Thirukovil.

2. By consent of both parties, this writ petition is disposed at the stage of admission itself.

3. Arulmigu Kasi Viswanatha Swamy Thirukovil situated at Tenkasi, is being administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments 2/6

Department and the non hereditary trustees, to manage the temple affairs, religious ceremonies and temple premises are appointed by them. While this being so, the first respondent issued Government Order in GO.(U)No.155, Cultural and Religious Endowments (RD 3-1) Department, dated 24.07.2024, wherein a state committee was appointed to select and shortlist the applications for appointment of non hereditary trustees for the temples notified under Section 46(iii) of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959. On 05.02.2025, the second respondent issued the list of selected candidates for the post of non hereditary trustees for the said temple vide proceedings in Na.Ka.No.1246471/2025/A1. Now, the petitioner's grievance is that the petitioner's application for the said post was not even considered by the authority concerned. Hence, the petitioner filed this writ petition.

4. The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents submits that the petitioner has never applied for trusteeship and hence, the petitioner has no locus standi to file this writ petition.

5. On perusal of the typed set of papers filed in support of this writ petition, there seems to be no signature in the application, as if it is filed by 3/6

the petitioner and the petitioner neither has locus standi nor any cause of action to file this writ petition. In view of the same, this writ petition is dismissed on the ground of lack of locus standi.

6. For the reasons stated above, the Writ Petition stands dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

04.04.2025 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes / No sm 4/6

TO:-

1. The Secretary to Government, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Fort St. George, Chennai.

2. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Nungambakkam, Chennai.

3. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Tenkasi District.

4. The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Kasi Viswanatha Swamy Thirukovil, Tenkasi District.

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VIVEK KUMAR SINGH, J.

sm Order made in W.P.(MD)No.9352 of 2025 Dated:

04.04.2025 6/6